By Muhammad Mamman
The Presidency has released a fresh list of individuals granted clemency and presidential pardon by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of his ongoing efforts to promote justice reform, compassion, and national reconciliation.
The announcement, made on Tuesday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, follows Tinubu’s recent signing of the official Instrument of Clemency, which authorised the release or sentence reduction of several inmates across the country.
According to Ngelale, the list includes persons convicted of minor, non-violent offences as well as those suffering from terminal illnesses, old age, or other humanitarian conditions. The gesture, he said, reflects the President’s desire to uphold fairness and mercy within Nigeria’s justice system.
“President Tinubu, acting in accordance with Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, has granted clemency to deserving citizens after careful consideration of recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM),” the statement read.
The new list reportedly features both civilian and military personnel, including a few ex-servicemen dismissed under controversial circumstances, alongside low-risk offenders who have demonstrated genuine rehabilitation while in custody.
Sources within the Ministry of Justice confirmed that the pardons were approved following a comprehensive review process that involved security vetting and consultations with correctional authorities.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), praised the move as a significant step toward decongesting Nigeria’s overcrowded correctional centres and promoting restorative justice.
“The President’s decision embodies the spirit of mercy and redemption that our justice system must never lose sight of,” Fagbemi said. “It also serves as a reminder that punishment should be corrective, not merely retributive.”
Nigeria’s correctional facilities currently house over 70,000 inmates, with nearly two-thirds awaiting trial — a situation human rights advocates have long described as “unsustainable and unjust.”
Civil society groups have welcomed the latest round of clemency, urging the government to complement it with deeper reforms in policing, prosecution, and judicial efficiency.
“While the pardons are commendable, the real challenge lies in fixing the system that sends thousands to prison without timely trial,” said one Lagos-based human rights lawyer.
Political observers view the move as part of President Tinubu’s wider push to portray his government as both firm on justice and compassionate in governance, particularly amid growing public frustration over economic hardship and insecurity.
The Presidency has assured that more names could be added in the coming months as the Advisory Committee continues its periodic review of eligible cases.
“This is not a one-off gesture,” Ngelale added. “The President is committed to ensuring that mercy and justice work hand in hand in Nigeria.”
